A Star Falls: Braves' Profar Faces Season-Ending Ban in PED Scandal
In a shocking development that has sent ripples through Major League Baseball, Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is staring down a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug (PED) for the second time in a year. This bombshell, first reported by ESPN, not only derails Profar's season but also raises questions about the future of a player once hailed as baseball's brightest prospect. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this a case of intentional cheating, or a tragic misunderstanding? Profar, now 33, insists he would 'never knowingly do anything to cheat' the game he loves, but the consequences are severe. He forfeits his entire $15 million salary, misses the postseason, and is barred from representing the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic—a team that includes players from his native Curacao. This suspension marks the sixth time a player has received the maximum penalty since MLB toughened its stance on repeat offenders in 2014. And this is the part most people miss: Profar's absence couldn't come at a worse time for the Braves, who are already reeling from injuries to key pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep. The team, aiming to rebound from a disappointing 76-86 season, now faces an even steeper climb without one of their offensive weapons.
Profar's journey to this point has been anything but smooth. Once the No. 1 prospect in baseball, he debuted at just 19 years old with the Texas Rangers but spent more time on the injured list than on the field during his early years. After stints with Oakland, San Diego, and Colorado, he found his stride again with the Padres in 2024, hitting .280/.380/.459 with career-best numbers in home runs (24) and RBIs (85). This resurgence earned him a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves last January. However, his 2025 season began under a cloud with an 80-game suspension in March for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that can boost testosterone production. Despite returning in July and posting respectable numbers (.245/.353/.434 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs), Profar's latest violation has cast a long shadow over his career.
The Braves, while expressing disappointment, have stated their support for MLB's drug program and hope Profar learns from this experience. But the team's lineup now faces a significant reshuffle. With Profar slated to be the DH and bat near the top of the order, the Braves must lean more heavily on stars like first baseman Matt Olson, third baseman Austin Riley, and center fielder Michael Harris II. The return of catcher Sean Murphy will allow Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin to focus on hitting, but the pressure to produce is higher than ever. Profar's story is a cautionary tale in a sport where PED suspensions, though declining, still carry heavy penalties. Last year, only two players—Profar and Philadelphia's Jose Alvarado—were suspended, and just five in the last three years. Free agent Max Kepler received an 80-game ban in January, while Milwaukee's J.C. Mejia was the last player to face a 162-game suspension in September 2023. Notably, Jenrry Mejia remains the only player banned for life after a third PED violation.
As Profar sits out the remainder of his contract, with one year and $15 million left, the debate rages on: Are MLB's penalties too harsh, or necessary to protect the integrity of the game? What do you think? Is Profar a victim of circumstance, or does he deserve the full weight of this punishment? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation you won't want to miss.
